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CUT FLOWERSTeachers and schools
Freedom Charity combines specialist safeguarding training, the story of Cut Flowers and accompanying lesson resources awarded the PSHE Association Quality Mark.
The designated safeguarding lead should review the lesson, confirm local referral routes and brief staff on likely disclosures. Decide how pupils can leave the lesson or ask for private help. Do not invite personal disclosure and do not notify a family where doing so could increase risk.
Introduce Katie and Sophia through fictional distance. Establish ground rules, the right to pass and private routes for support. Explore friendship, secrecy and the difference between keeping a surprise and carrying a dangerous secret.
Define FGM/C accurately and without graphic detail. Explain bodily autonomy, that FGM has no health benefit, is not required by religion and is illegal. Use short questions to challenge myths without asking pupils to speak for a culture or community.
Use the novel to discuss possible warning signs such as talk of a special procedure, a ceremony or an extended trip. Make clear that one sign does not prove FGM. A pupil’s task is to tell a trusted adult, not to investigate.
Practise safe words a young person can use: ‘Something I heard has worried me. I need your help.’ End with the school’s safeguarding lead, private reporting route, local emergency services and recognised country-based support. In the UK, call 999 in immediate danger.
Teachers in England and Wales must personally report to the police a known case of FGM in an under-18 identified through disclosure or visual evidence. Suspected or at-risk cases follow ordinary safeguarding procedures. Teachers must never examine a pupil.
Read the government FGM resource pack →The accompanying Freedom Charity lesson resources for Key Stages 3 and 4 carry the PSHE Association Quality Mark. The Quality Mark applies to the teaching resources, not to the novel itself.
View the PSHE Association resource →Freedom Charity delivers pupil presentations, lessons, workshops and whole-school assemblies about dishonour abuse, including forced marriage, FGM and virginity testing. Sessions are designed to support prevention, safe discussion and clear routes to safeguarding help.
Book a Freedom Charity visit →Freedom Charity provides practical training for teachers, designated safeguarding leads and other professionals. Sessions cover warning signs, safe responses to disclosures, mandatory reporting and wider safeguarding routes.
Enquire about Freedom Charity training →Contact Freedom Charity about class sets of Cut Flowers, school visits, professional training and access to the accompanying lesson resources.
Contact Freedom Charity →Continue the story
Books are sold by Freedom Charity: Aneeta does not profit from book sales. The income supports Freedom Charity’s work.